Kevin Kuteesa has distinguished herself as an exceptional leader and changemaker by exemplifying what it means to pair purpose with action from the moment she joined the Oklahoma State University MBA program.

Raised in Uganda by her mother after her father’s death, Kuteesa learned early on that access, not charity, has the power to transform lives. That belief continues to shape everything she does in the classroom and beyond.

Before coming to OSU, Kuteesa co-founded Prograte Capital Ventures after seeing how many hardworking women entrepreneurs were excluded from traditional banking systems. What started as a mission to provide microloans and financial education has grown into something much bigger. With support from the Spears School of Business and the Riata Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, she has helped evolve Prograte into a business-to-business software platform that supports financial institutions across East Africa.

“We aren’t just helping one entrepreneur at a time — we are building the financial infrastructure necessary to scale credit access safely,” Kuteesa said.

Her impact has not gone unnoticed. Kuteesa was selected as the Edward Jones Top Scholar out of more than 150 applicants, recognized for her achievements, compelling vision and commitment to uplifting her community. At the OSU Riata Business Plan Competition, her team earned second place in the social enterprise track, where she also received the Richard L. Tourtellotte Family Scholarship and the Best Elevator Pitch Award.

Most recently, she was named the 2026–27 Women for OSU Endowed Student Philanthropist of the Year. As part of this recognition, she will serve as a student speaker at the organization’s upcoming Spring Symposium.

“I’m proud to be a part of a network of visionary leaders who understand that true philanthropy is about investing in people in ways that preserve their dignity and multiply their opportunities,” Kuteesa said. “An investment in one student never stops at the campus edge; it creates a ripple effect, transforming communities both locally and globally.”

Story By: Raigyn Mayes | raigyn.mayes@okstate.edu